Women on the Outside Looking in: Rahab and Ruth as Foreign Converts to the People of God

Authors

Kelly J. Danielson, Asbury Theological Seminary

Abstract

How does an outsider become an insider? This is a question that emerges from considering both the modern immigrant situation and the unique situation of non-Israelite women becoming part of the people of God in the Old Testament. The usual pattern in the Old Testament is to be born into the people of Israel, but for men there is the possibility to become part of the covenantal people through the physical act of circumcision. In this patriarchal society, women usually had no choice but to follow the decisions of their husbands. But what if there was no husband? The Bible tends to take a particularly harsh view on Israelite men marrying non- Israelite women, so even marriage does not seem to be an acceptable ...the Old Testament do successfully navigate the transition from outsider to insider, Rahab and Ruth. This article explores what this means for understanding conversion within the Old Testament context as well as its potential theological implication for the immigrant community in today’s world. Understanding the importance of a person’s allegiance to YHWH as well as following up this allegiance through actions of loving-kindness (hesed are the key similarities which bind these two women together and help create a theological bridge for immigrants in our modern context

DOI

10.7252/Journal.02.2020F.06

Recommended Citation

Danielson, Kelly J. (2020) "Women on the Outside Looking in: Rahab and Ruth as Foreign Converts to the People of God," The Asbury Theological Journal: Vol. 75: No. 2, p. 256-270.
Available at: https://place.asburyseminary.edu/asburyjournal/vol75/iss2/7